Preparing for Teacher Effectiveness Pilot Hear an update on the Commission for Teaching & Learning, the Teacher and Principal Effectiveness Pilots, and the new Teachscape tool being made available to all public districts.

South Dakota has been one of several states working with the Council of Chief State School Officers to press for some flexibility related to statewide assessment. The state plans to apply for waivers related to double testing and attaching personnel decisions to student growth.

This event will provide an overview of South Dakota's recommended Principal Effectiveness Model, with an emphasis on the newly created South Dakota Framework for Effective Principals (professional performance standards). The event will also provide an overview of a recommended evaluation process and introduce the scope and structure of the 2013-14 Principal Effectiveness Pilot Project. The meeting will be held at the Ramkota, and will run from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. (Central) on Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday.

Top 20 Training
July 22-23, Pierre

This presentation is dedicated to helping participants reach their full potential by eliminating negative mental habits (apathy, boredom, procrastination), learning to live above the line, learning from mistakes, developing star qualities, discovering hidden relevancy, breaking out of the comfort zone, resolving conflicts effectively, mastering the art of bettering yourself, identifying and overcoming self-destructive beliefs, and taking responsibility for and discovering your true self.

The training is sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Education’s Special Education Programs, and one CEU or graduate credit is available to participants.

Learn how to organize a Harvest of the Month Team for your school or community. Attendees will prepare recipes, create lessons and evaluation, discuss food-to-table demonstrations, and learn about growing and transplanting.

Participating teams are also eligible to apply for a $500 Team Nutrition mini-grant for implementation of a Harvest of the Month project. CEUs are available. Click here for details on how to register, or contact Mary Kirk for more information.

School Library Boot Camp
July 21-24, Vermillion

The second annual School Library Boot Camp will be held on the campus of the University of South Dakota, with the theme of Multiple Literacies in the 21st Century School Library. Graduate credit is available. Click here for more information.

CTE Conference
July 29-30, Mitchell

The 2013 conference will be all new – New location! New format! New schedule!

The conference is designed for CTE teachers, Technical Institute instructors, school administrators and school counselors. This year’s event will be held on the campus of Mitchell Technical Institute. The annual CTE conference provides attendees with innovative and rigorous, cluster-specific training that can be implemented as the school year begins. Join your colleagues to learn, network and grow.

The conference is held as a partnership activity between the South Dakota Department of Education and the South Dakota Association for Career & Technical Education. For more information, including registration, schedule, call for presentations, and more, visit lakeareatech.edu/sdacte.

10th Annual Indian Education Summit
Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, Chamberlain

Online registration is now open for this year’s Indian Education Summit, which will be held at the Cedar Shore Resort, located on the Missouri River near Chamberlain and Oacoma. This is the 10th consecutive year the summit is being held, bringing together partners from across South Dakota and the U.S. to learn and share ideas and insights about the educational needs of American Indian students. Many sessions will be geared for K-12; many others will emphasize preschool and higher education strands. Click here for more information.